INFS1000 Lec 1 Intro

Question 1

What is the purpose of a firm? What are the 2 E’s to achieve that? What are some other purposes?

Answer 1

Profit!

• Effectiveness: do the right things –> value / quality.
• Efficiency: do the things right –> cost.
• Production of products and services (add value!).
• Division of labour, dealing with complexity.
• Collaboration of individuals to achieve a greater goal.
• Governance and control.
• Efficient allocation of resources (input / output).

Question 2

What are some ways a business can be organized internally?

Answer 2

1. Functional Organization: vertically organized into hierarchy / chain of command, and horizontally organized into business functions.
2. Process Organization: organize materials / value flow through the organization (value chain).

Question 3

What are the 5 fundamental components of information systems? (e.g. for an airline reservation system).

Answer 3

1. Computer Hardware: comps, routers etc. linked together.
2. Software: diff programs to record customer details, reservations, promotions.
3. Data: about flights, customers, reservations etc.
4. Procedures: followed by staff, travel agents, customers.
5. People: customers, travel agents, airline staff, IT personnel.

Question 4

What is the difference between IT and IS? Who is input required from to develop the right IS？

Answer 4

IT = 1,2,3.

IT alone will not help an organization achieve goals until it is EMBEDDED in an information system.

IS = IT + people + procedures.

Developing the right IS requires inputs from those with KNOWLEDGE OF THE BUSINESS, not just IT experts.

Question 5

What is MIS and BIS?

Answer 5

Management Info Systems = Business Info Systems

= refers to the ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE that looks the development and use of IS by businesses.

Question 6

What is the function of IS?

Answer 6

• Helps businesses achieve GOALS and SOLVE PROBLEMS.
• Helps support existing operations.
• Helps innovate and create new businesses, can be a source of COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE.

Question 7

Which statement is correct?
a) Business processes can run across multiple functional areas.

b) Businesses are organized horizontally according to a hierarchy.
c) Businesses are organized vertically into business functions.
d) None of the above.

Answer 7

A!

Question 8

Which 1 of the 5 components of IS is part of IT?

a) Software.
b) Procedures.
c) People.
d) All of the above.

Answer 8

A!

Question 9

Information systems … … …

a) Are computer systems.
b) Are operated by IT specialists.
c) Are IT-based systems that serve business objectives.
d) All of the above.

Answer 9

C!